MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - In a midweek non-conference match-up against regionally-ranked Endicott, the Wesleyan volleyball team fought hard to come out on top with a 3-1 victory. The two squads were very evenly matched and highly offensive, resulting in a win for the Cardinals with scores of 25-22, 25-17, 27-29, and 25-19.
Four attackers hit above a .300 for the match to give Wesleyan their seventh straight win to put them at 10-1 on the season. Endicott drops to 10-6 after tonight's match.
Maya Lopansri '25 distributed the ball well, posting a season-high 50 assists
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
- Set one was neck-and-neck as the Cardinals battled the Gulls in a fight for the early lead. An impressive seven kills from Sydney Smith '25 helped keep Wesleyan out in front and take a victory from Endicott with a score of 25-22.
- Riding the momentum from set one, Kiana Yuhl '25 served three in a row to get an early lead. The Gulls stayed in the game until 15-10 when the Cardinals went on a 6-0 scoring run behind the serve of Grace Bell '23 in helping Wesleyan win the set 25-17.
- The third set spelled trouble for Wesleyan despite having a 23-20 lead late, the Gulls fought their way back to knot the score at 23-23. A strong fight from the visiting team pushed the set into extra points until the Cardinals eventually dropped 29-27.
- Determined to fight past the adversity and finish the match, Wesleyan cleaned up their blocks and slowed the Gulls down enough to regain control. This slight shift resulted in a 25-19 win for the Cardinals and a 3-1 overall victory.
Brina Kuslak '22 (10 kills) was one of three Cardinals who racked up double-digit kill totals on the night
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Three Cardinals were in the double-digits for kills this evening: Maddie Kurke '22 tied her career-high with 19 (matching her 19 kill total at Bates in her rookie season), Sydney Smith '25 with a season/career-high 17 kills and Brina Kuslak '22 with 10 kills.
- First-year setter Maya Lopansri '25, led the Wesleyan offense with 50 assists in four sets, which is the highest single-game total for any Cardinal this season. Libero Jenna Otaola '22 kept the Cardinals in the game with 27 digs, which is just one off her season-high.
- Two Endicott Gulls were tied for most kills - Amanda Gilbert and first year Riley Donahue with 16 kills each. Both players also led the Gulls in digs with 15 and 14, respectively.
- Wesleyan's 3-1 win tonight signaled yet another home win as the Cardinals are now 8-0 in Silloway Gymnasium in 2021. In addition, this was just the second set Wesleyan has lost at home all season as the Cardinals have won 24 sets against just two losses in eight home matches so far this season.
UP NEXT
Join the Wesleyan Cardinals in Silloway Gymnasium for a big weekend of NESCAC home games starting with Middlebury on Friday night at 7:30 PM followed by Amherst at 2:00 PM on Saturday.
